Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-06-03
THE WRITER OF BOOKS.
SOME Or TIE TRIALS no. WHICH AN
AUTHOR is EXPOSED.

II II
Struggle to Find Publisher ecuIiari-
ties Of the Contract Between Author
and enthusiastically on the Work.
Presentation Copies.
There is one vexation that the writer
of books undergoes that has not been
elucidated, namely. the requests he re-
ceives from friends for copy Of
his work; and not only from friends,
hut from charitable institutions seeking
to enlarge their libraries, or from institu-
lions DESTROYS of founding libraries. 1t is
common belief that an author Is en-
titled to as many copies of his work as he
sees fit to ask the publisher for. While
f1attering to the authors vanity to be
thus in demand, the requests received
even by authors of little rcnown, If hon
ored, viii often deprive him Of all his
profits from the copyright, for, beyond q
stipulated number OF copies given to him
by the publisher, he has to pay the trade
price for all other copies Of his work.
Generally inexperienced or unthinking
authors s'give away with these presenta-
tion books all their profits, unless, indeed,
work reaches several editions.
At round table gathering of authors,
all Of more or less prominence cnd popu-
larity, iii thes Authors club ito other
nirht, the general complaint was the
nuisance of appeals for presentation copies
from strangers and institutions not of the
slightest interest to them. Each admit
ted that it was an infliction to their van
ity to refuse or ignore many Of these re-
quests, willie rcgrctting the fact that COM
plianca would entail pecuniary loss. The
dram atic author, il he has the privilege
from the management, may give passes to
the theatre which il playing his produc-
ton without entailing direct loss to either
the manager or himself If there is not a
large, popular demand Of the seats, but
the publisher of d book regards each vol
ulnc as worth so much for old paper,
and is not disposed to part with one with
out the quid pro quo, as even selling for
junk adds just SO much to the profits, and
there Is always q sale for old paper.
Each publishing house has form OF
contract peculiar to itself IN is style and
phraseology, but tie conditions arc gen
orally the same In this country. In Eng
land it is not uncommon for authors and
publishers to bring out the works Of the
former on shares, equally dividing tho
e
1t is the rrllo that the publishers issue tho
work at their own risk and expense, pay
ing the author royalty on conditions
named. The chief difference In the con-
tracts Of the publishers In this country is
that the authors shall assign them the
right to take out the copyright, or that
the author himself shall hold it. In either
case there Is stipulation to the effect that
If at the expiration of certain period,
generally two years or five years, the pub
fishers do not find the publication of the
work profitable, they can discontinue, de-
stroy the plates and sell the books on
hand at auction or for old paper, giving
the author the option Of buying both at
cost price or for a deduction of from 10 to
90 per cent, the copyright being assigned
to him or restored to him.
In both countries stipulated number
of copies are given to the author; any
more he can obtain under contract at the
trade or retail price. This number varies
from six to twelve copies on which 1t is
stipulated no royalty is to be paid, as also
on the number distributed by the pub
Usher In his discretion to the critics for
review. In some cases the publisher re-
serves the right to exempt from royalty
copies sent as samples to schools and In
stitntions- which might need the work.
Statements are made to the author semi
annually and the amount due him paid
four months thereafter, and then II he
has been liberal III complying with the re-
quests from friends and institutions, he
| finds to his dismay that the credit bal
ances the debit account and there IS moth
ing coming to him, or mayhap that he Is
In debt to the publisher beyond the six OK
twelve copies allowed him.
Adding the deduction il his royalty On